IT’S A SMALL WORLD… AND WE DIDN’T MAKE IT TO THE BEACH!

The weather forecast for Saturday claimed a high near 80 degrees in Sutherlin!  Although we didn’t believe it, we thought it would be a good day to hit the coast, a 60 mile drive on a scenic road from Sutherlin to Reedsport.  Since the Umpqua Valley is known for wineries – and more specifically, wineries that produce Riesling, a favorite of ours – we hit the Sutherlin Visitor Center Saturday morning to see what might be on our sightseeing route.

Elkton, a tiny town about a third of the way to Reedsport, is home to five wineries.  Armed with a wine tour map, we figured we’d hit a couple, pick up whatever captured our taste buds, and head on to the coast. 

The Umpqua Valley (at least the area around Elkton) is known for Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. Since we have a good selection of our favorite red grape varietals on board (and because we can’t taste too many wines without taking a nap), we decided to focus on sweeter white wines, delicious served well chilled on the hot days we expect to experience any day now.

We started at the largest of the five wineries, Brandborg Vineyard and Winery, with a spacious tasting room fronting the main street of Elkton.  As we approached, we noticed two limousines in the parking lot, rolled our eyes at each other and said “Uh, oh”.  Yes, the tasting bar was packed with tasters, seventeen in all, young, noisy, and having a blast.  Nothin’ wrong with that – unless you aren’t part of the group! 

Fortunately for us, they were heading out the door within five minutes of our arrival (it wasn’t us, honest!).   Once the wine bar hostess cleared away their glasses and regained her friendly demeanor, we were able to taste three of the wines that interested us and make a purchase.

Since we were particularly interested in Riesling, the hostess at Brandborg suggested we visit Bradley Vineyards (two drier style Rieslings) and Anindor Winery (a sweeter Riesling) next, timing our arrival to beat the limo crowd, which was headed to a different winery.  Armed with her good advice directions, off we went.

Turning off the scenic main highway, we travelled a winding road through green hillsides, planted here and there with grapevines.  We found the long, unpaved driveway to Bradley Winery and popped in for a couple of tastes.  Here, both Rieslings were drier than we were hunting for, but we did come away with something we NEVER buy: a rose, this one a blend of Pinot Noir and Riesling.  I might have to hunt down a good cheese for that… and maybe a pear?  Some walnuts?

Then we were off again, further down the little valley… make a left, now another left… the roads kept narrowing… finally, at the end of a cul de sac, we found a driveway well suited for all wheel drive: the entrance to Anindor Winery (just kidding – though dirt, any vehicle could make it).  This is out-of-the-way… no one drops in for a taste because they just happened to be driving past! 

One other car was parked outside the tasting room, a Honda CRV with it’s headlights on.  When we entered, Odel mentioned to the couple already tasting that they left their lights on.  As the driver thanked Odel, he commented that Odel looked familiar – so Odel switched on his “mysteriously unforgettable” look, and I could see his gears grinding.  Perhaps a retired athlete?  An actor? 

Odel and I set about tasting their Rieslings, and wandered out to the deck overlooking the small vineyard.  Soon the other couple joined us, determined to figure out where they had seen Odel.  It didn’t take long, so no chance for an alter-ego: Cynthia and Jim Ponder are Escapee Boomers!  We had all been together at Quartzsite in January, but never made a connection at that big gathering.  We knew each other better through email – Cynthia is president of Escapees Chapter 8, the Mexican Connection, and had contacted us for information about adding PayPal to their website. 

How funny!  Four people in the off-the-beaten-path tasting room, and we all are Boomers!  The tasting room hostess thought our lifestyles were pretty interesting (Cynthia and Jim are camp hosting a couple days a week at a nearby RV park) and indulged our request for a photo.

After making our purchase (a delicious Riesling), we took off to the west once more, heading to Reedsport… but with our stomachs rumbling.  We had heard a good report of Tomaselli’s Pastry Mill & Café in Elkton (the ONLY restaurant we noticed there), so decided on a lunch stop. 

What a good decision!  When I saw their mouthwatering description of Macaroni and Cheese, it was like the Sirens calling to Homer, and since Odel wasn’t going to tie me to the mast, I succumbed – happily.  OMG!  I ate it all, the rich, dripping, bowlful of mac-n-cheese, the locally grown greens with homemade honey mustard dressing on the side, and the warm, freshly baked, quarter baguette with soft whipped butter.  I relished every bite, washed down with a glass of Gewurztraminer from one of the wineries we hadn’t yet visited – the perfect accompaniment to the mixture of rich cheeses in the sauce.  It was SO GOOD!

Odel’s Fish and Chips turned out to be thick chunks of panko-crusted, oven-baked white fish – which he rated as far better than the usual deep-fried F&C.  He chose a pint of Fat Tire Ale to accompany his lunch, and a slice of pie a la mode for dessert… well, you can probably guess where this is going.

Six or seven or maybe eight tastes of wine over a couple hours, a wonderful, filling lunch with wine and ale… and still a long way to go hear the crash of waves on the shore.  What the heck – there is always another day, right?  We turned Jules back towards Scoopy.  Within the hour, we both reclined, Odel watching golf, me reading my Kindle.  Wine tasting, meeting new friends at the end of the road, a wonderful lunch and a quiet afternoon… that’s a good, good day.

THIS AND THAT – REDDING, CALIFORNIA TO SUTHERLIN, OREGON

A couple days after I posted the recipe for Honey Lentils, I received a great email from reader Nancy.  I had bemoaned the lack of nutritional information for the recipe, which she calculated and attached to her email!   She calculated it using Mastercook software, which she raved about… I might have to look into that.

I’ve updated the recipe to include the information.  For Weight Watchers, if you have one sixth of the recipe (which would be a large, main course serving – probably close to a cup and a half), you would consume 7 Points Plus.  I always serve it as a side, which yields 8-10 servings easily.  Also, Odel likes the lentils best as leftovers (I agree; like chili or baked beans, the dish improves when it sits awhile) – but be forewarned that they look fairly unappealing (as he says, “Like they were left out overnight and shouldn’t have been.”  Yum.)

After two nights at the Redding Elks Lodge – just enough time for a few walks along the swollen Sacramento River and a visit to Redding’s Costco – we took off heading north on a mild, cloudy, dry day, perfect for travel.  Our target was Sutherlin, Oregon, 250+ miles north.  We planned a fuel stop along the way, so knew we were in for a long driving day.  

Just north of Redding, as you leave the city and rejoin I-5, you get your first glimpse of majestic Mt. Shasta.  Odel and I both gasped as we crested a hill and saw the snow-covered peak in the far distance, and that small rush of excitement set the tone for the rest of the day.  Heading north is climbing, with grades of various lengths and degrees winding through heavily forested mountains, a beautiful drive when your don’t have to worry about snow.  Shasta Lake was completely full; I don’t know if I have ever seen that before – no ugly brown “bathtub” ring! 

Crossing an arm of Shasta Lake (note the dry road!)	Mt. Shasta looms very large near Mt. Shasta City.

Around noon, we stopped at the rest area in Weed to eat lunch and admire the view of Mt. Shasta, then rolled on into Oregon.  At the Pilot Truck Stop at exit 33, we filled our diesel tank at $4.29 per gallon.  At the same station in May of 2009 – just TWO YEARS AGO - we paid $2.43 per gallon!  Sheesh.

We’d both forgotten that the first hundred miles of I-5 in Oregon are so hilly.  After the long, long climb up the grade to Siskiyou Summit, the road rolls up and down, up and down for many miles – slow on the climbs, careful on the descents.  We didn’t care; we were both smiling, happy to be traveling again, happy the road was dry, listening to favorite music and discussing on all the interesting things we saw along the way.

Driving on the shoulder when going up a steep grade seems to be common practice for big trucks in Oregon; we often passed long lines of semi’s climbing a hill on the shoulder.	This is a sight I’ve never seen before: a truck buried in the deep gravel of a runaway truck ramp.  The steep Siskiyou Summit downgrade had two ramps, one 1 1/2 miles down, the other 5 miles down.  Glad he looks unscathed!

Shortly after 4 pm, our long (for us) day ended in a wonderful site at Umpqua Golf and RV Resort (click here to read our full review from 2009, or click here to read our impression from this visit).  We stayed here once before, in 2009, as we made a fast trip south to Sacramento.  We were impressed and hoped we would have the chance for a longer stay “next time” – which is now.  We paid for three nights, through the weekend.

Umpqua Golf and RV Resort used to be a member of the Passport America program (1/2 price camping).  For reasons that aren’t totally clear to me but have something to do with special golf/RV packages, the RV park is no longer affiliated with Passport America – but still offers PA rates to PA members.  So, for a lovely, roomy, level RV site adjacent to the golf course, we are paying $15/night – 50 amps, full hookups, cable TV and blazing fast WiFi.  It must be the best deal in Oregon – if you are a Passport America member. 

Too bad Odel isn’t quite ready to hit the links!  He visited (and no doubt vanquished) the putting green, though.  Even though he can’t take advantage of it now, we have decided to extend our stay for another two nights, until we need to leave on Wednesday to head to Eugene for an adjustment to our living room slide.

Next post: It’s a Small World… or Why We Didn’t Make It to the Coast!

A RAINY TRAVEL DAY AND RECIPES TO SHARE – REDDING, CALIFORNIA

Oh my gosh!  Sunshine!  Those were my thoughts when we arose at 7 am and opened the shades.  Clouds were in the sky, but sun shone in our big front windshield.  We indulged on our morning routine of tea and computing, spending much less time than usual on email and FB since we since we wanted to head out around 10 am.

By 9 am it was sprinkling, and at 9:30, it was pouring rain with hail mixed in!  We unhooked from the utilities, brought in the slides, bid our friends adieu, and hooked up Jules in pelting rain as thunder rolled over our heads.  Odel got soaked early on, and I was drenched by the time we finished the brake and light checks.

Hurray for a motorhome!  We jumped inside, deployed the bedroom slide for easy access to the closet and changed into warm, dry clothes.  Hurray for a dryer!  We loaded the wet jeans, socks and shirts in, settled into our seats up front, and headed off into the storm, running in and out of rain until we arrived in Redding. 

Our 200 mile drive gave me a chance to type up a couple of recipes to share.  My friend Bobbie Chapman (Chappy Trails) is cutting back on her meat consumption these days, but has struggled a bit with her menus since her husband Jim likes meat.  With many vegetarians in my extended family, we work around this challenge frequently.  My solution?  Make recipes that work as a side dish for a carnivore and as a main dish for a vegetarian.  Serve with a bit of meat, chicken or fish – or not – and everyone is happy.  Here are a few recipes in that category:

I’ve had the Honey Lentils recipe for a long time; I made it for our Memorial Day BBQ and when Donna saw it in the photo, she asked for the recipe.  Made in the crockpot, it’s a filling entrée for a vegan or vegetarian, and is a satisfying side for grilled steak or lamb.  The leftovers are even better.  Too bad the recipe doesn’t include nutritional information - there oughta’ be a law!  Though the recipe calls for honey, I substitute agave syrup – better for any diabetics at your table.

Cabbage Casserole is a new recipe for me.  I had 3/4 of a head of cabbage in the produce drawer and wanted to make something other than slaw, cabbage soup or sautéed cabbage.  I found this recipe on Sparkpeople, a great source for healthy eating that I consult frequently these days.  The casserole (cabbage, carrots and onions briefly sautéed, then baked in a light cheese custard) is light and mild (4 Points Plus per serving for those of you on WW), delicious with salmon.  We reheated leftovers for breakfast this morning; yum.

Both recipes have been added to the archive.  And, here is one more, this one a link to the Food.com website so you can print or save it yourself.  Lemony Chickpea Stir-Fry is vegan, made with tofu as a protein.  It includes garbanzo beans, a favorite of mine, and here they are sautéed until they are “deeply golden and crusty”.  OMG, those were delicious.   The tofu, on the other hand was (as usual) bland. 

I found the dish close to delicious, but plan to change it next time by replacing the tofu with additional garbanzo beans.  I also will cut the amount of olive oil in half, which will lower the WW points from 5 to something more like 3 per serving.  The lemony flavor is delightful, and this made a nice side dish for Odel’s baked Panko Crusted Tilapia, which we buy frozen at Costco (bakes to a crispy crust in 18 minutes).

As I’ve finished up this post, rain has returned to Redding, where we are settled in at the Redding Elks Lodge (read our review from May 2009 here).  I’ve got leftover Posole, one of our favorites, for dinner… time to heat and eat.